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Vol. 79 No. 21
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NEWS .......... 10
Aldama to run for mayor
May 25, 2023
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Glendale, firefighters association make agreement BY JORDAN ROGERS
Glendale Star Managing Editor
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he city of Glendale and the Glendale Chapter of the United Phoenix Firefighters Association Local 493 have entered a first-of-its-kind Labor and Management Agreement to ensure that Glendale firefighters’ presumptive cancer claims are accepted. In a jointly signed agreement, the city and the Glendale Chapter agree that the current process outlined by Arizona state law and the city’s workers’ com-
pensation policy for cancer claims will continue to be followed. However, if the third-party administrator denies a Glendale firefighter’s claim, the city will override the administrator for approval. “This is truly a historic moment for our city and our firefighters. Cancer caused by our job is an epidemic among firefighters,” said Arick O’Hara, president of the Glendale Chapter of the United Phoenix Firefighters Local 493. “The city has made the courageous choice by guaranteeing firefighters who
are diagnosed with cancer in the line of duty will have the insurance coverage needed.” Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps said the discussions between the city and the firefighters association began last year. For him, it was just a matter of getting the language of the agreement correct. “As we were talking about going forward, just making sure the (firefighters SEE FIREFIGHTERS PAGE 5
VAI Resort unveils amphitheater plans BY JORDAN ROGERS
Glendale Star Managing Editor
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BUSINESS ... 20
Mentorship company reaching local youth
OPINION .....................15 BUSINESS .................. 20 SPORTS ..................... 24 CALENDAR................. 26 FEATURES.................. 28 RELIGION ...................30 GRADUATION 2023 ..... 32 CLASSIFIEDS ............. 37
AI Resort, the West Valley’s to-be $1 billion destination resort slated to open its doors in 2024, unveiled its crown jewel — VAI Amphitheater. The $40 million stage combines cutting-edge design and state-of-the-art technology to deliver a largescale venue experience in a distinctively intimate atmosphere where most of the fans are less than 100 feet away from the stage. For Grant Fisher, president of VAI Global Development, it is the “heartbeat of the entire resort.” The amphitheater will have a traditional pit area and 3,000 auditorium seats. This, Fisher said, makes the venue unmatched from an intimacy perspective. SEE VAI PAGE 4
The $40 million stage is planned to combine cutting-edge design and stateof-the-art technology to deliver a large-scale venue experience. (VAI Resort/ Submitted)
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